The Ring Doorbell is an amazing home security device that is easy to use and install. While the camera won’t often give you any issues, sometimes the camera can fog or frost in certain environments. It’s important to keep the screen clear so that you can continue to use the live camera and picture features.

With that said, you may be wondering what the best way to coat or protect your doorbell is. We’ll cover all of this and more, including the best areas to install the doorbell to avoid environmental issues.

How Do I Stop My Ring Doorbell from Getting Wet?

Sometimes your Ring Doorbell may get wet in the rain. However, it can also get wet from humidity or condensation. Follow these tips to keep your Ring Doorbell clean and dry:

  • Get an anti-fog coating that is safe for camera lenses and has good reviews.Use a Ziploc bag. If your Ring Doorbell is getting wet, it can begin to grow mold. Bring it inside and place it on a Ziploc bag, so the moisture will begin to evaporate and drip on the bag instead.Place your Ring Doorbell in a covered area. To keep it from getting wet, consider installing it under a covering such as a patio or some other porch awning.Use a microfiber cloth to dry the device. This will gently dry the lens and keep it from getting scratched.

These are all great ways to dry your Ring Doorbell or defog it after it has collected too much moisture. However, sometimes it is better to prevent it from happening completely. Follow these tips to make sure your Ring Doorbell never gets foggy or wet:

  • Buy a sleeve or cover. Many people choose to cover their Ring Doorbell with a silicone sleeve or a weather-blocking mount. This will keep the doorbell from getting condensation.Reposition the camera. To prevent condensation, keep your Ring Doorbell out of the shade and away from other HVAC equipment. This way, it won’t collect moisture.

How Do I Stop My Ring Doorbell from Collecting Frost?

Sometimes in the winter, you may experience frost or ice on your camera instead of condensation caused by humidity. You can keep frost from affecting your Ring Doorbell with a few easy tips:

  • Use an anti-ice or defrosting spray. This will be similar to the ones you may use on your car windshield in the winter.Buy an ice or rain repellent for camera lenses. Many popular camera brands also sell accessories that keep lenses safe to use in the winter.Move the camera under an awning. In very cold temperatures, the lenses may frost anyway. However, having it under a covering can help it from misting.Buy a sleeve. Get a waterproof sleeve. This will help to keep the camera insulated and less likely to be affected by frost.

Will My Ring Stop Working if It Gets Wet or Icy?

Ring Doorbells are meant to be outside and are very durable. Usually, condensation and fogging are not harmful to the device and are more a nuisance than anything else. However, cold weather can negatively affect the battery.

Follow these tips to keep your Ring Doorbell and its battery safe:

  • Bring the device inside. The software in the Ring will keep it from working automatically when it gets too hot or cold. Bringing it inside, though, can keep it from getting permanently damaged.Charge it to 100%. The battery is not effective when it gets too hot or cold, so charge it fully before the weather gets bad.Monitor the temperature. At certain temperatures, the battery will stop charging and working.

These temperatures should be carefully watched:

  • At -5 degrees Fahrenheit, the Ring Doorbell’s battery will stop working completely.At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the battery may not charge at all or charge very slowly.At 36 degrees Fahrenheit, the battery will need to be charged more often because it won’t be as effective.

Even though Ring Doorbells are weather-resistant, extreme weather may reduce their capability to work efficiently. Look out for these reduced functions:

  • The Ring Doorbell misses an event or a motion and does not alert youReduction in battery lifeNotifications come in much later than when they actually happenedThe Ring registers motion that is not really there

As you can see, cold weather is not dangerous for the camera. Most issues will occur with the motion sensor and not the other doorbell features.

In Summary

If your Ring Doorbell is fogging or frosting, you can try applying an anti-fog coating or keep it as dry as possible. You can also position the camera out of shade or buy a sleeve to protect it against the weather. Regardless of the method you use, you have plenty of DIY options to protect your device from its environment.